But it’s a sacrifice the 16-year-old is willing to make in a bid to raise money for the nurses who cared for his dad.

Chris, of Newburn, in Newcastle, has pledged to shed his precious locks to help raise funds in memory of his father, Geoff, 68, who died last month following a two-year battle with cancer.

The student at St Thomas More Roman Catholic School, in Blaydon, hasn’t had his hair cut for more than two years but decided to sacrifice his pride and joy to raise vital funds for the Marie Curie Hospice, in Newcastle, after they took care of Geoff during his final days.

Geoff, a retired music teacher, was diagnosed with cancer in his bile duct in November 2007 and endured months of gruelling chemotherapy treatment.

But he fell seriously ill in September last year and doctors discovered the disease had spread to his liver and lymph glands.

He spent his last weeks being cared for by dedicated staff at the hospice, in Elswick, surrounded by his family, before he passed away on February 1.

Chris’ mum Julia, 50, a music teacher, said: “Chris hasn’t had his hair cut for about two years. He always refused to have it done.

“And he has just decided to do this in memory of his dad and for the hospice where Geoff spent his last days.

“I am really proud of him. It’s been very hard for the whole family and it’s been very difficult for Chris. The staff were absolutely amazing.

“The care for Geoff was just superb. His pain relief was instant and the nurses got to know us all as a family.”

When Geoff died, his family pledged to raise £8,000 for the hospice after estimating the cost of his treatment and care.

Chris has already raised more than £1,600 for the hospice by pledging to get the chop.

He said: “I decided to do this because we want to raise as much money as we can for the hospice.”

The Marie Curie Hospice services are free of charge and the charity depend on the generosity of the public to fund their work.

They offer a range of care, including family and bereavement support, at the hospice which was purpose-built 1995 to provide a modern approach to patients in a friendly and welcoming atmosphere.

Julia, along with Chris, her daughter Jenni, 18, and step-children, Cat, 35, and Jon, 37, are planning a family swimathon in April to help them reach their target.

Julia added: “I stayed with Geoff for his last two weeks and the children were allowed in to visit whenever they wanted. So we just want to give something back to the staff at the hospice now. They were amazing.”

Chris will be getting the cut at 6pm, on March 24, at Ali B’s Hairdressing, in Newburn - free of charge.